“They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over” (Matthew 14:20).

“What are we going to do?” Jesus’ disciples had a big problem on their hands. They found themselves surrounded by thousands of people in a remote place. They had streamed out of nearby towns and villages to hear Jesus and perhaps be healed. Yet it was getting late, and people were getting hungry. What should the disciples do?

Not enough?

Jesus shocked his disciples after they suggested sending everyone home: “You give them something to eat” (Matthew 14:16). They found a young boy with five loaves of bread and two fish. They couldn’t possibly feed so many with so little. With a potential crisis growing in front of them and thousands of tummies grumbling, the disciples focused on their lack—their limited supply, their “not enough.” They forgot that with Jesus, there are always leftovers.

Have you ever found yourself there too—standing in a remote place, watching the time slip by as a big crisis looms larger and larger on the horizon? The problem—the challenge, the issue—seems more overwhelming with each passing day. What do we often do in that situation? We focus on the lack—the limited supply, the “not enough.” We think, There’s no way we can do this, no way we can get through this, all the while forgetting that with Jesus, there are always leftovers.

More than enough

In that moment of powerlessness, Jesus told his disciples to bring their lack—their limited supply, their “not enough”—to him. What did he do? Miraculously, Jesus didn’t just give out one fish and one loaf per person. No, as the disciples looked out at the thousands blanketing that remote place, they saw hunger satisfied, tummies filled with goodness, and so many leftovers! Jesus had provided a bread-and-fish feast with 12 baskets of leftovers.

In our moments of powerlessness, Jesus calls us to bring him our troubles and challenges, our worries and concerns, our lack and limited supply—our “not enough.” Then what does he do? He fills our lack, our emptiness, with his own fullness and boundless grace. He not only supplies our need but also comforts and sustains us. He grants sufficient grace and guides all things for our good. After all, consider how Jesus’ love for us moved him to take care of our greatest need so that we may live with him forever!

Jesus is by no means stingy with his grace. . . . He provides such a feast that we always have leftovers.

Jesus is by no means stingy with his grace. Just look at how he comes to us through words on a page, a handful of water, or a bite of bread and a drink of wine. He provides such a feast that we always have leftovers. He provides peace in our uncertainty, healing for our sin-sick souls, joy in sorrow, hope in worry, and a life filled with abundant grace—from the food we eat now to the life eternal that awaits us in heaven.

So enjoy his feast of grace as he provides for all your physical and spiritual needs. Because with Jesus, there are always leftovers!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, when I focus on the lack, the limited supply, or the “not enough” in my life, lift my eyes to see your abundant grace and blessing. Help me to see that with you, there are always leftovers. Amen.

Author: Jeremiah Gumm
Volume 112, Number 09
Issue: September 2025